According to a rumor, Liverpool and Porto are scheduled to begin negotiations on 22-year-old midfield player Alan Varela.
Liverpool are set to open negotiations with Porto for 22-year-old midfielder Alan Varela, who has a €70m (£60m) release clause in his contract. The Reds are keen to strengthen their midfield under new manager Arne Slot and have been long linked with Varela.
According to AS, Liverpool are intensifying their pursuit of Varela and will soon begin talks with Porto. Porto is expected to hold firm on the release clause due to a clause in Varela’s contract that guarantees a percentage of any future transfer to his former club, Boca Juniors.
Varela, a defensive midfielder, could potentially replace 31-year-old Wataru Endo and allow Alexis Mac Allister to move into a more advanced role.
The departure of Thiago Alcantara has created a vacancy in Liverpool’s midfield. Dutch international Ryan Gravenberch has expressed his ambition to make a significant impact under Slot next season. “A top club, I hope to play here for years to come,” Gravenberch told Algemeen Dagblad. “And soon a Dutch trainer with Arne Slot. I’ve never spoken to him, not even during my time as an Ajax player. But he is a trainer who likes attacking football. That should suit me, you would think. We will see.”
Last summer, Liverpool invested heavily in their midfield, including activating Dominik Szoboszlai’s £60m release clause from RB Leipzig. Slot is also expected to target a new centre-back to replace Joel Matip and may consider signing a new goalkeeper following Caoimhin Kelleher’s announcement that he is looking for regular playing time elsewhere.